42 Principles of Ma'at

[she_ba]

this is so great.

[Akyeame Kwame]

Originally Posted by IfasehunReincarnated

Out of curiousity i notice that NO ONE has actually attempted to discuss the negative confessions in their ORIGINAL CONTEXT, as a means of spiritual evolution.

Outside of the historical and intellectual conversation, what does everyone think of this tool of spiritual growth? Has anyone ever used them? Does anyone want to offer a means of usage or a methodology for making them have the greatest impact in ones life?

The 42 principles can definitely be a means for spiritual evolution. i like this quote from you on it.

Lastly the negative confessions act as a blueprint (not dogma) for living. While you should not come between a woman and her husband, Afrikans wouldnt suggest that you leave a spouse in an abusive relationship. While its not okay to kill in general, you should not allow yourself to die at someone else's hands. This is a blueprint that is polished by personal instinct and good sense and most importantly by minute to minute communition with your SPIRITUAL intuition.

when i first came across them after going thru a serious spiritual transition i used them more like dogma and just felt bad that i hadn't been living up to my potential to that point. at the same time as a blueprint they served as an motivating force to live an ethical life. i started looking into Akan conceptions of living a good life (Obra pa) and having good character (Suban pa) and Yoruba conceptions of the same originally b/c this is the main thing that my mother stresses more than anything else...good character. more than anything, to me, the 42 confessions serve as a measuring stick of how i am living my life and if it is in tuned with a model/ideal of what a good life is in Our own Afrikan conception as opposed to a rhetorical ethic type of thing that the krakkkaz specialize in. they remind me that people can strive for perfection to be mi Ra, like RA. in the Afrikan way that is what it is to be human.

hey Baba Ifa, what are your thoughts on those who decline to call them "negative" confessions?

AK

[Rebel Queen]

Originally Posted by Akyeame Kwame

i'm glad u didn't...i appreciate yr posting it...i just try to avoid it...always have...i remember growing up as a kid i never wanted to touch a bible cuz i thot it would make you irreversibly stupid...just a holdover from that...i don't want to get infected anymore than i already have been just by living in this cesspool. stay BlackNificent!!!

AK

i share your sentiments kwame. i only wish i had a choice to share your sentiments when i was much younger.. buttt i share them now.. thanks for adding this.

[Baba Ahmed]

Yo*, Akyeame Kwame - htp!

U can include me as one of those who refuse to call'em "negative" anything; I prefer declarations of past tense actions. As u know Jaz n'nem must memorize'em. For they form a basis for Ma'at, emphasized. And as u know M. & Y. are teaching'em how to apply the principles.

On THE SCRIPTURES of should I say The Bible. As a child, I giv big ole thanks! My mama nor daddy encouraged nor pushed me into a Church right around the corner from our spot. I went tho; plenty pretty yung sistas my age, 12, and older. I grew up ina pimp/ho ridden city. Never dug it. So when I peep'd slick look'n preacha man, Im like: hell naw. Dat shit aint cool! And there were flics of white hayzuse and pot bellied pink cheek'd baby angels, float'n round long haired hippie looking blonde haired flat butt white women! Hell, double HELL NAW!!! And my man Hayzeus 'sho look'd like him had suga in his blood! Ya dig?

The mind truly is a sponge...

The 1st King of the Ausar Auset folk was here and said main reason yt couldn't ascend the Tree of Life? Him don't do what him learn 'bout our ancients. Him write and corrupt many many many books, including our believing Bible(s) crutched folk. And him is always as on stage b4 the lights and cameras: acting!!!

WE go 4 da okey doak.... too damn long, I mean tooooooooooooooooo damned long.


*: its written ina book of ancient Afrikan Wisdoms that this like Ommm was the original sound heard at first creation!!!

[Kweku_Omowale]

in the words of doctor fukiau ifa kala/ba muntu neaning being, hue man being ,be a helpful hue man being, i read the maat principles,to tell you one thang, i livea very humble life,poor broke, those principles are enbedded in me, and i put into into practise,even studying ifa principles as well, i put it to practise, i am reading extensively the works of doctor fukiau,realize that here in kanada,there is nobody to teach me anyhting and iam learning by trial and errors,i have few books on afrikan spirituality and i try to the best of my abiliity put into practise, understand this ifa, i have been mowed down by middle class blacks,east indians,chinese and other races as well,my spiritua quest has begun, and iam ldoing it all on my own,my friend,believe it or not, because peoples willingness is just not there.like ra un amen says," SPIRITUAL STRENGTH DOES NOT COME FROM READING WHOLE HEAPS OF BOOKS,ALTHOUGH IT HELPS,IT COMES WHEN YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE MOST DIFFICULT SITUATIONS IN LIFE...' METUR NETER VOLUME ONE, believe me, i have been close tp situations
that were very delicate,my enire life has been nuthin buta challenge and sacrificed at one point in time,for peoples gain,be either black,chinese,whites,east indians and you name it,i had extensive arguments with sikhs and punjabis,because when i worked for them,they want to gulge and rip me off,as for me,i am tired of religious hypocrites around here,dat dont understand that religion is different than spirituality.
modupe,ifa assante sane!

[IfasehunReincarnated]

Its word play. If it empowers me to refuse to call them "negative" its all good - I dont that. But its like the person that buys different diet programs and exercise machines saying they just need to do "this or that" and they finally take off the weight. In the end, whats important is that you have a PROCESS for spiritual evolution.

if its not deliberate, then it can reasonably be called progress. and you can guarantee that you wont be right back at that same place again.

Afrikans created blueprints for spiritual progress.

[Baba Ahmed]

Originally Posted by IfasehunReincarnated

Its word play. If it empowers me to refuse to call them "negative" its all good - I dont that. But its like the person that buys different diet programs and exercise machines saying they just need to do "this or that" and they finally take off the weight. In the end, whats important is that you have a PROCESS for spiritual evolution.

if its not deliberate, then it can reasonably be called progress. and you can guarantee that you wont be right back at that same place again.

Afrikans created blueprints for spiritual progress.

Yes sir, my respected "trainee" some say our ancients/traditionalists planned 8 generations ahead!
==============================================
btw I appreciate your clear thoughts on homosexuality; a Yoruba voice was necessary. I've been bumping into this subject and related fallouts on 3 different sites; its almost disheartening to witness so few bruthas with clear positions, not "on,", but against that deadly European cultural ethic. One site of estimated 97% sistas is scary re the numbers who opening profess to be and or support all types of freakazoid actions... all leading to extinctions physically, and mentally. Im posting another excerpt from Mwalimu Baruti's Homosexuality & the Effeminization of Afrikan Males focusing on the Manufacturing of Homosexuals.

I implore other readings, who if honest enuf to admit to b n inda middle of our road battles/War, to give it a critical read at the Baba Speaks column!

[IfasehunReincarnated]

Originally Posted by she_ba

this is so great.

What's so great? Expound. What's been your own spiritual usage of the Principles of Ma'at?

[Warrior Princess]

Hi, Baberz! I saw the response that you gave to me, but it has been pointed out that it (as is the case with many other responses TO me or comments made BY me) was deleted as a result of forum (not necessarily 'technical', but nevertheless 'forum' I am supposing) issues.

At any rate, thank you for the warm greetings as usual. Love ya, love ya, love ya.

What I posted (yet what was deleted) was in regards to the 42 "negative confessions" and why (to my understanding) they are often referred to as "negative" confessions. I do not remember exactly what I said, but it seems like if I want to have my initial posts posted that I have to start pasting them and saving them.lol (But then again, a forum issue might arise which makes me totally incapable of posting ANYTHING here.)

Seeing as to how the confessions all start out as "I have not...", they are called "negative" confessions, reporting things that have NOT been done. Many people do refuse to refer to them as "negative" confessions, but then again, perhaps this is because of how the word "negative" has connotations that would lead many to infer that "negative" is "bad".

But back on the confessions. Perhaps if the confessions started off like "You will.." or "Thou shalt not" (lol doesn't that tie the tongue?) they would also be referred to as "commandments", but they start off "I have not" (a confession, even "I have" is a confession, but "I have not" is a "negative" confession simply because of the word "not") and so this is why it is said that they are the "negative" confessions.

Lastly, Maat is more or less representing balance on all levels (let us not forget that balance= the balancing of + and -) and if at both the end of everyday AS WELL as the end of your term in this lifetime you can stand and truly proclaim "I have not..." confession after confessions, it would seem that the heart would be weighed against that feather quite favorably.

[Baba Ahmed]

Originally Posted by Warrior Princess

Hi, Baberz! I saw the response that you gave to me, but it has been pointed out that it (as is the case with many other responses TO me or comments made BY me) was deleted as a result of forum (not necessarily 'technical', but nevertheless 'forum' I am supposing) issues.

At any rate, thank you for the warm greetings as usual. Love ya, love ya, love ya.

Thank you, my yung vibrant dauta... asante sana

What I posted (yet what was deleted) was in regards to the 42 "negative confessions" and why (to my understanding) they are often referred to as "negative" confessions. I do not remember exactly what I said, but it seems like if I want to have my initial posts posted that I have to start pasting them and saving them.lol (But then again, a forum issue might arise which makes me totally incapable of posting ANYTHING here.)

Im confused; leave it and call sometime

Seeing as to how the confessions all start out as "I have not...", they are called "negative" confessions, reporting things that have NOT been done. Many people do refuse to refer to them as "negative" confessions, but then again, perhaps this is because of how the word "negative" has connotations that would lead many to infer that "negative" is "bad".

But back on the confessions. Perhaps if the confessions started off like "You will.." or "Thou shalt not" (lol doesn't that tie the tongue?) they would also be referred to as "commandments", but they start off "I have not" (a confession, even "I have" is a confession, but "I have not" is a "negative" confession simply because of the word "not") and so this is why it is said that they are the "negative" confessions.

I agree with Ifasehun; basically it can be seen as word play and I know u appreciate messing with words. U 2 me are like what an elder called me once which I don't think I am: a wordsmith feminized.... Oh suga here comes a feminist.... shush she might slide on by

Lastly, Maat is more or less representing balance on all levels (let us not forget that balance= the balancing of + and -) and if at both the end of everyday AS WELL as the end of your term in this lifetime you can stand and truly proclaim "I have not..." confession after confessions, it would seem that the heart would be weighed against that feather quite favorably.

This I see as a key statement. However all deal with morality and ethics and as to stand on "I have not" is solid, provided its backed by pre actions. But since this is also a transliteration purported to make easier reading and understanding for folk who knew not the sacred language and it was first done by folk who weren't even of KMT lines I do not bog myself down in this type discussion. Im no linguist. Don't pretend to be. Ain't tryna b. I will assert this: btween I have not and Thou Shall not is worlds of differences. Quiet as its kept the Sacred Language wasn't intended for folk like, a commoner, a merchant. Demotic was the form for folk like me.... right?

Mama A. sends greetings; we both yearn for the day for u to announce a new stage in life.



BLACK IS AN ESSENCE OF LIFE

[Warrior Princess]

My precious, precious baba. Love flows from my heart to the hearts of you and my beloved Mama A.

You ARE a wordsmith, quit trippin'. lol But you know this is not at all to be taken lightly. For in all accounts that I have come across in regards to any spiritual power, the Word was so key. In addition to this, had it not been for the Word, how could I communicate with you now? At any rate, everyone has their own interpretations, but often people do not really take time to evaluate (or even reevaluate) WHY it is they do or do not embrace a certain thing.


But LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL@ "Here comes a feminist" HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA That was too funny! lololololol

[IfasehunReincarnated]

I wanted to add that the 42 negative confessions are merely the tip of the iceberg. Kemetic people used a multi-layered process to introduce, socialize and condition ethical behavior. Look at the sphinx and the pyramids, and all the varying heiroglyphics are lesser known buildings. Much of what was written was actual intruction in behavior. There are also a plethora of documents, like the Teachings of Ptah, that were used to add people in behavior modification and ethical growth.

The "confessions" (which is obviously a white person's perspective) go much more advanced in other documents and you see them stating specific situations in which a person would identify with their spiritual self in order to guarantee a better life.

[DrBobbyJones]

The Writing referred to is the "The teachings of Ptahhotep". It is the oldest book known to be written by any man. It was reproduced by Dr. Asa G. Hilliard III, and can be obtained through Eso Won Books in Inglewood, CA. This book was written some twenty-five thousand before an Adam and Eve.

[IfasehunReincarnated]

Dr, I used to open this book everyday. Its an excellent text.

[Baba Ahmed]

Originally Posted by DrBobbyJones

This book was written some twenty-five thousand before an Adam and Eve.

Greetings Doc!

A couple of minor corrections: Asa G. Hilliard III, Larry (Obadele) Williams and Nia Damali are editors of this book. And I'm sure u mean 2,500 years before Christ. Not 25,000 years.